Grant Thornton Australia Turnover $218.5m Offices: 6 Partners: 137* People: 1,169* Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton Australia's Fast Facts document. * These figures are current as at 30 June 2014. Grant Thornton member and correspondent firms globally Turnover: US$4.5bn (FY 2013) Countries: over 120 Offices: over 500 Partners: over 2,500 People: over 38,500 Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton International’s latest Transparency Report. Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton Australia's latest Transparency Report. Grant Thornton expands national footprint to North Queensland
Transcript
Grant Thornton Australia
Turnover $218.5m
Offices: 6
Partners: 137*
People: 1,169*
Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton Australia's Fast Facts document.
* These figures are current as at 30 June 2014.
Grant Thornton member and correspondent firms globally
Turnover: US$4.5bn (FY 2013)
Countries: over 120
Offices: over 500
Partners: over 2,500
People: over 38,500
Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton International’s latest Transparency Report.
Click here to download a copy of Grant Thornton Australia's latest Transparency Report.
Grant Thornton expands national footprint to North Queensland
Media Release
4 February 2014We are excited to announce that on 1 March 2014, the five Partners and 70 team members from the KPMG Cairns practice will be joining Grant Thornton Australia.
This merger supports Grant Thornton’s strategic growth agenda and expands our capability to serve our clients wherever they do business. Grant Thornton has long recognised the importance of Queensland’s regional centres and the substantial volume of business conducted outside of Brisbane, particularly in Far North Queensland. This region, while already established as an economic hub and gateway to our northern trading partners in Asia, has significant growth potential. We are excited to grow with North Queensland businesses, particularly in the tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and indigenous business sectors.
This is also an exciting opportunity to pursue further growth opportunities and to leverage relationships in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Asia.
CEO Robert Quant said the Cairns group has the skills and professional approach to add significant breadth and depth to Grant Thornton’s service offering in northern Australia and it cements us as the leading adviser to the dynamic middle market across the country.
“Our strategy is centred on strategic growth – for our clients, our people and our firm. Grant Thornton has more than doubled in size over the last three years which means we can provide greater opportunities for our clients and our people.
“The Cairns practice shares Grant Thornton’s passion for advising dynamic, growing organisations in Australia’s middle market – making this merger the right strategic fit for both firms. Both the Cairns practice and Grant Thornton have excellent clients and people. We share a commitment to delivering high quality services to our clients around the country and the world.
“We are committed to being on the ground to work with our clients wherever they do business. This merger significantly expands our geographic footprint. It means that our clients have access to world-class national and global resources, as well as strong, local business relationships outside the major capital cities.
“The Cairns practice has particular financial and accounting expertise in public sector and indigenous business enterprises which adds to the national group’s capabilities. This is a great opportunity for our people and our clients and will allow us to explore further growth in northern Australia and the Asian region. We are excited about this development”, Mr Quant said.
Mr Quant said that Grant Thornton will continue to pursue both organic growth and growth through mergers and acquisitions: “Grant Thornton is looking for talented individuals and successful groups to join us as part of the ongoing execution of our growth strategy”.
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To download a PDF copy of this release, please click here.
About Grant ThorntonGrant Thornton Australia has more than 1,300 people working in offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. We are focussed on meeting the needs of dynamic, middle market clients and combine service breadth, depth of expertise and industry insight with an approachable “client first” mindset and a broad commercial perspective.
Grant Thornton is one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. More than 35,000 Grant Thornton people, across over 100 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work.
A firm recognised locally and globally:
2013 Advisory Team of the Year: Thomson Reuters (Grant Thornton Australia)
2013 Global Firm of the Year: British Accountancy Awards (Grant Thornton UK)
2013 Network of the Year: International Accounting Bulletin (Grant Thornton International)
Hi Shelley,
Ian Herman has nominated one of his direct reports – Andrew Pritchett who is our CIO.
Andrew has agreed to participate in the interview.
I’ll liaise with Andrew on Monday and confirm if he is free on Monday or Tuesday (as per your time availability).
I’ll collate both Ian and Andrew’s profiles and also send them to you Monday.
Enjoy the weekend.
RegardsIrene
Irene Hall | Office Manager & Executive AssistantGrant Thornton AustraliaThe Rialto | Level 30 | 525 Collins Street | Melbourne | VIC 3000 | AustraliaT (direct) +61 3 8320 2280 | T (mobile) +61 409 288 451 | T (office) +61 3 8320 2222 | F +61 3 8320 2200
In this regular article we chat to a boss and their employee about their relationship and find out:• What the boss has taught the employee• What the employee has learned from the boss• What the boss likes about the employee – why they were hired or promoted to work under them• What the employee admires about the boss’ leadership or approach to strategy We also ask “what would you change about the other person”.
The interview subjectIan Herman FCPA, National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance & Engagement, Grant Thornton
ExperienceIan is currently the National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance and Engagement at Grant Thornton. He is responsible for enabling the firm to be responsive and agile, to drive and support change by streamlining operations, increasing efficiencies and championing continuous improvement. He is part of the National Leadership Team at Grant Thornton.
He has over 27 years’ experience in providing professional advisory services to businesses ranging from public companies, large private organisations through to government entities and not for profit organisations. He has held leadership and management positions within professional services firms for over 12 years.
Ian has specialist skills in providing strategic solutions that help organisations transformation internal governance and operational models, systems, processes & structures that deliver improved performance including offshoring and outsourcing.
He has held numerous governance roles including Board of director positions on public, private and not for profit organisations, as well as member plus a chair of Audit and Risk committees and Remuneration committees.
Ian also played for Carlton and Richmond in the AFL, and takes a keen interest in the governance of professional sport in Australia.
ExperienceIan has over 27 years’ experience in providing professional advisory services to businesses ranging from public companies, large private organisations through to government entities and not for profit organisations. He has held leadership and management positions within professional services firms for over 12 years.
Ian is currently the National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance and Engagement at Grant Thornton. He is responsible for enabling the firm to be responsive and agile, to drive and support change by streamlining operations, increasing efficiencies and championing continuous improvement. He is part of the National Leadership Team at Grant Thornton. Ian has specialist skills in providing strategic solutions that help organisations transformation internal governance and operational models, systems, processes and structures that deliver improved performance including offshoring and outsourcing.
Professional qualifications and memberships
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) FCPA Affiliate of Institute of Chartered Accountants
Grant Thornton is one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. These firms help dynamic organisations unlock their potential for growth by providing meaningful, forward looking advice. Proactive teams, led by approachable partners in these firms, use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex issues for privately owned, publicly listed and public sector clients and help them to find solutions.
Grant Thornton Australia has more than 1,100 people working in offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. We combine service breadth, depth of expertise and industry insight with an approachable
“client first” mindset and a broad commercial perspective.
More than 38,500 Grant Thornton people, across over 120 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work. Through this membership, we access global resources and methodologies that enable us to deliver consistently high quality outcomes for owners and key executives in our clients.
ANDREW PRITCHETTPerformance Inspiring Award 2014Grant Thornton AustraliaJuly 2014Awarded at Grant Thornton's 2014 Partners Conference award dinner, the performance inspiring award is a peer nominated award, acknowledging individual excellence and outstanding all round contribution to Grant Thornton Australia, both the organization and to peers.
Experience
Chief Information OfficerGrant Thornton AustraliaJuly 2013 – Present (1 year 8 months)Melbourne Area, Australia
July 2013 – Present (1 year 8 months)Melbourne Area, Australia(Open) 3 honors and awards
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award (Lync)The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is Microsoft's way of saying thank you to exceptional, independent...View
Performance Inspiring Award 2014Awarded at Grant Thornton's 2014 Partners Conference award dinner, the performance inspiring award is a peer nominated...View
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award (Lync)The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is Microsoft's way of saying thank you to exceptional, independent...View
Chief Information OfficerGriffith Hack
December 2009 – July 2013 (3 years 8 months)Melbourne Area, Australia(Open) 22 recommendations, including:
frastructure ManagerNorton Rose Fulbright
May 2007 – December 2009 (2 years 8 months)Melbourne Area, Australia(Open) 1 honor or award(Open) 11 recommendations, including:
Belinda MacPhieAssociate Director, IT Client Service at K&L GatesI worked closely with Andrew presenting the requirements and problems of staff to him and he was always approachable with...View
Nathan Kennedy.I was lucky enough to work with Andrew and although Andrew was the leader of Infrastructure and had many projects, staff and...View9 more recommendations
Ben LowryServices Manager - Vendor, Cloud and Delivery at KPMG AustraliaAndrew has the unique ability to maintain a highly technical hands on approach while managing strategic direction and...View
Luke BrindleyICT Advisor at NSW Health InfrastructureAndrew is a highly skilled IT professional. He maintains an excellent balance between technical issues, the customer's needs...View
Network Development and Support Team LeaderDiners ClubJanuary 1993 – May 2004 (11 years 5 months
IAN HERMANSummary
I am currently the National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance and Engagement at Grant Thornton. In this role I am responsible for enabling the firm to be responsive and agile, to drive and support change by streamlining operations, increasing efficiencies and championing continuous improvement. I am also part of the National Leadership Team at Grant Thornton.
I have 27 years experience in providing professional advisory services to businesses ranging from public companies, large private organisations through to government entities and not for profit organisations, and have held leadership and management positions within professional services firms for over 12 years.
My specialist skills are in providing strategic solutions that help organisations transform internal governance and operational models, systems, processes & structures to deliver improved performance, which also includes assessing, designing and implementing offshoring and outsourcing solutions.
I have held numerous governance roles including Board of director positions on public, private and not for profit organisations, as well as member plus a chair of Audit and Risk committees and Remuneration committees.
I also played for Carlton and Richmond in the AFL.Experience
National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance & EngagementGrant Thornton AustraliaMarch 2014 – Present (1 year)MelbouneI am currently the National Managing Partner, Strategic Performance and Engagement at Grant Thornton, responsible for enabling the firm to be responsive and agile, to drive and support change by streamlining operations, increasing efficiencies and championing continuous improvement. I am also part of the National Leadersrship Team at Grant Thornton.
I oversee Finance, IT, Risk and Partner Affairs, to align and integrate with People & Culture and Marketing to drive strategic change and operational performance improvement in the firm. I am also responsible for the execution of the firms strategy and the cultivation of the innovation and continuous improvement culture within the firm.
Managing Partner,MelbourneGrant ThorntonJune 2007 – March 2014 (6 years 10 months)Grant Thornton is one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. We help dynamic organisations unlock their potential for growth by providing specialist services, business advice and growth solutions. In Australia, we have more than 1,300 staff across eight offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. We combine service breadth, depth of expertise and industry insight with an approachable "client first" mindset and a broad commercial perspective.
I was the Managing Partner for the Melbourne office for almost 7 years, responsible for the operational performance and growth in market share within Melbourne.
Partner, CEO William Buck Process SolutionsWilliam BuckMay 2002 – June 2007 (5 years 2 months)Melbourne Area, AustraliaIan was a senior partner and leader of the Business Process Solutions and Outsourcing service line specialising in helping organisations transform their internal service models which incorporated streamling and information technology strategies, shared services, offshoring and outsourcing.
The William Buck association of independent accounting firms has a 110 year history with offices in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland and Melbourne. All William Buck member firms remain independently owned allowing individual firms to retain their own culture whilst, at the same time, gaining from the significant advantages that a national association offers.PartnerArthur Andersen1987 – 2002 (15 years)Was accepted into the prestigious Arthur Andersen Graduate Program in 1987 and worked through various roles until being elevated to a partnership.
IAN HERMANhttp://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Ian+HermanCareer : 1987 - 1991Debut : Round 11, 1987 vs Melbourne, aged 21 years, 239 daysCarlton Player No. 947
Games : 48Goals : 39Last Game : Round 8, 1991 vs Hawthorn, aged 25 years, 211 daysGuernsey No. 25Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.)Weight : 78 kg (12 stone, 4 lbs.)DOB : 11 October, 1965
As a footballer, Ian Herman was something of an enigma - a classy, elegant 183 cm half-forward or ruck-rover who never quite reached the heights his ability offered, because throughout his time at Princes Park he was as dedicated to building a business career as he was to his football. Recruited by Carlton as a 21 year-old from amateur side Collegians, he played 48 games and kicked 38 goals in five seasons between 1987 and 1991.
Herman had originally played at junior level with both St Kilda and Hawthorn. In 1980, at the age of 15, he landed a place in the Saints' junior development squad that toured Tasmania as a promotional activity for the club. Other members of the squad included Tony Lockett, David Grant and Rod Owen. Even so, Herman later refused an invitation to join St Kilda’s Under 19’s, because he was convinced that too many promising young footballers played two years with the thirds and then just disappeared – and he was in no hurry to do the same. Instead, he concentrated on his accountancy studies, and his school football with Haileybury College.
However, just around the corner from Ian’s home lived Hawthorn stalwart Russell Greene. The pair often talked football, and Greene eventually talked Herman into turning up at Glenferrie Oval for successive pre-season trials. Following the second of these, Hawks coach Allan Jeans drew Herman aside to tell him that he hadn’t made the final list because it was believed he was carrying stress fractures in his feet. This wasn’t the case, but once again, Herman was undeterred. He headed back to Collegians, and resumed playing in the shadow of his flamboyant and equally talented older brother Richard.
Ian’s story then took another twist when Haileybury coach Ken Phillips - who was an ex-South Melbourne player – met Carlton’s Secretary Ian Collins at a social function and told him that Collegians had a couple of youngsters in their side who showed real potential. As fate would have it, Richard Herman decided to retire from football to concentrate on cricket before ‘Collo’ was able to check out Phillips’ tip, and when he did, it was Ian who caught his eye.
Collins promptly invited Herman to Princes Park for pre-season training over the summer of 1986-87. By then, Ian had completed his studies and joined the prominent share broking firm of Grant Thornton – a world-wide financial giant with offices in more than 50 countries. Happily, Blues coach Robert Walls was very supportive when Herman explained that at times his profession would have to take precedence over his football, and the Blues were so impressed by his skill level that he was honoured with thenumber 25 guernsey previously worn by Alex Jesaulenko and Frank Marchesani.
In his debut season of 1987, Herman was eased into a talent-laden Carlton side that was on the verge of an emphatic 16th Premiership. He had his first taste of senior football in round 11 at the MCG, when he came off the bench late in the game, and experienced the additional thrill of kicking his first career goal as the rampant Blues destroyed the home side by 45 points. He played the next two games on a wing with the seniors, then returned to the seconds and celebrated his first year at Carlton as a member of the victorious Reserves Premiership team in September.
In 1988, Herman established himself in the senior side and played 17 matches, including three finals that culminated in a bitterly disappointing loss to Melbourne in thePreliminary Final. On the way to that finals campaign, he provided a season highlight for Blues fans when he saved his team from an embarrassing defeat by the lowly Brisbane Bears in round 21 at Carrara Stadium. With only seconds left on the clock, he swooped on the ball as it spilled from a pack, and snapped a brilliant goal from a long way out. Carlton won by three points.
Herman had another consistent season in 1989, although the Carlton Football Club as a whole was wracked by dissension on and off the field. Alex Jesaulenko returned as senior coach in the wake of Robert Walls’ sacking, but the team tumbled down the ladder and finished eighth. From then on, under Jesaulenko’s relentless discipline, Herman struggled to balance his business and football aspirations. His form tailed off, and he managed only seven games in 1990. By the end of that year, was thinking seriously about his football future.Although Jesaulenko finished up in 1990 to be replaced by David Parkin in his second appointment as Carlton’s senior coach, Herman played only another three matches in1991, and therefore decided that he would be happier and more useful at another club. Richmond then picked him up in the 1992 mid-year draft, and Herman became a Tiger in 14 games over two seasons. After that, he moved on to VFA heavyweights Sandringham, where he rounded off his football career by playing another 39 games, including the Zebra’s 1994 Grand Final triumph over Box Hill.
In the years since he hung up his boots for the last time, Ian Herman has gone on to conspicuous commercial success. As at 2011, he has risen through the ranks to become the Australian Managing Director of Grant Thornton, which has continued to expand and now has branches in over 100 countries.
He has no regrets about where the two main pathways of his life have taken him, and still retains a deep affection for the Carlton Football Club. “I was lucky I played a handful of games with a great team at its peak,” he has said. “My plan was to get the best out of myself in both football and business.”
Still an enthusiastic and long-standing member of the club, Ian has become a mentor and friend to promising 2007 draftee David Ellard.
Incidentally, Ian’s brother Richard – who was indirectly responsible for his recruitment by the Blues - went on to have a glittering career in district cricket for the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Career Highlights1987 Reserves Premiership Player1989 10th Best & Fairest
LinksBlueseum: A summary of Herman's Carlton playing career | Herman's Blueseum Image Gallery
